The Bulwark Podcast Bill Kristol: MAGA's Grievance Culture
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Feb 9, 2026 
Bill Kristol, conservative analyst and Never Trump commentator, joins to unpack MAGA's grievance-driven attacks. They discuss the backlash to athlete speech, performative patriotism, DHS funding strategy, halted investigations into alleged cover-ups, and the politics of corruption and economic populism. Short, sharp conversations on how political outrage shapes policy and public life.
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Grievance Is Core To MAGA Politics
- MAGA's outrage over cultural moments reveals a deeper grievance culture rather than substantive policy concerns.
- Bill Kristol says their constant offense-taking is central to their identity and political energy.
Athlete Remarks Signal Healthy Dissent
- U.S. athletes expressing compassion for immigrants provoked disproportionate backlash from the MAGA base.
- Kristol frames such dissent as a healthy sign of civic freedom that authoritarian regimes suppress.
Split DHS Bill To Expose ICE Funding
- Democrats should separate noncontroversial DHS funding from ICE and Border Patrol money to force clear votes.
- Kristol urges prioritizing defunding ICE/CBP over unenforceable restrictions to reduce harmful actions.
